Police in Hillsville are trying to make sense of a possible kidnapping.

According to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, a housekeeper at the Quality Inn hotel found a note that said it was from a child named Jasmine Hines. The note's author says she is "missing and the cops are looking for me."

The sheriff's office said a search of databanks showed no signs of a missing child named Jasmine Hines.

The incident started, according to the sheriff's office, when a Canadian man named Pierre Morand checked into the hotel near Exit 14 on Interstate 77. He rented a room for one but surveillance footage showed Morand was traveling with a young girl, according to the sheriff's office.

Morand, of Lachute, Quebec, is seen on the footage leaving in a white minivan, the sheriff's office said, with two bicycles on the back.

Anyone that can offer assistance as the police attempt to locate Morand and verify the child's welfare is asked to call Capt. Jason Hawks or Investigator Junior Alderman by calling the Hillsville Police Department at 276-728-2251 or the Carroll County Sheriff's Office at 276-728-4146.

Map location of Quality Inn @ Hillsville, VA - Interstate 77 runs north/south in southwest VA. Hillsville is between I-81 and North Carolina state line. It's about 10 miles south of the intersection with I-81 and 14 miles north of North Carolina line.

Snip:
A call by CTV Montreal to Morands house and office wasnt answered, nor was any message left indicating that the fire chief was on vacation. The Surete du Quebec said they had not yet been contacted by either Virginia police or the RCMP, and said they had no indication that any possible crime had taken place in Canada.

UPDATE: Jocelyne Robert, an assistant to the Director General of Lachute, said city officials managed to reach Morand Friday afternoon.

She said Morand retired last week and has spent several days travelling with his wife to their home in Florida. Robert said that Morand was unaware that anyone was looking for him and he will meet with police on Friday.

4
posted on 11/30/2012 12:17:22 PM PST
by Perseverando
(Gun control? It's the OBOTS who are filling up prisons for violent crimes, not the Tea Party.)

She said Morand retired last week and has spent several days travelling with his wife to their home in Florida. Robert said that Morand was unaware that anyone was looking for him and he will meet with police on Friday.

He damned sure better be able to explain the video footage of him with "a little girl" to the police. Wife?

Depends on the definition of “ little girl”, there are some mature ladies out there that are 4'9 , and very petite. I have a friend in Houston that has a wife like that ... Every time she farted she blew sand in her shoes ....

A joke she hated !!!)

6
posted on 11/30/2012 1:02:19 PM PST
by Robe
(Rome did not create a great empire by talking, they did it by killing all those who opposed them)

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